title: A risk score to predict ischemic lesions after protected carotid artery stenting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The morphological characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques are considered to determine their cerebral 'embolic potential'. However, these are seldom considered during therapeutic decision-making.
  
  
  METHODS
  Assessment and quantification of embolic potential by employing power-M-mode (PMD) transcranial Doppler (TCD) to strengthen risk scoring has been discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PMD-TCD is a reliable technique for monitoring of microembolic signals in intracranial arteries and can help in estimating the 'embolic potential' of carotid plaques. In addition to the diffusion-weighted imaging, assessment of neuro-cognitive functions may provide a better assessment of the safety of carotid interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proposed 'risk scoring' system can be further improved by incorporating the cerebral 'embolic potential' by PMD-TCD while cognitive assessments may be used for a more reliable evaluation of the safety of various carotid interventions.
authors.forename: Vijay K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000628:therapy*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*